Investigating the Emission of Hazardous Chemical Substances from Mashrabiya Used for Indoor Air Quality in Hot Desert Climate

Abstract

Dubai has the reputation of a continuously growing city, with skyscrapers and mega residential projects. Many new residential projects with poor choices of material and ventilation have led to a faster rise in sick building syndrome (SBS) in Dubai than in any other country, and the IAQ (indoor air quality) has become more critical. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) affect the health of residents, producing the phenomenon known as SBS (sick building syndrome). It has been reported that wood materials used for furniture and wooden windows and doors are a significant source of indoor air pollution in new houses. This paper aims to identify the factor elements emitting harmful chemical substances, such as VOCs and HCHO, from wooden mashrabiya (traditional Arabic window) by examining the characteristics of the raw and surface materials through test pieces. As a methodology, a small chamber system was used to test the amount of hazardous chemicals generated for each test piece. For Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and HCHO, the blank concentration before the injection and the generation after seven days were measured. The results showed that to reduce TVOC, it is necessary to secure six months or more as a retention period for raw materials and surface materials. The longer the retention period, the smaller the TVOC emission amount. In the case of mashrabiya, an HCHO low-emitting adhesive and maintenance for one month or more are essential influencing factors. It was proven that using raw materials with a three-month or more retention period and surface materials with a one-month or more retention period is safe for indoor mashrabiya. This study is the first study in the Middle East to identify factors and characteristics that affect the emission of hazardous chemicals from wood composite materials, such as wood mashrabiya, that affect indoor air quality in residential projects in Dubai. It analyzes the correlation between emission levels and the retention period of raw and surface materials, in order to provide a new standard for indoor air pollutants.

Formaldehyde Exposure Racial Disparities in Southeast Texas

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A geospatial risk analysis graphical user interface for identifying hazardous chemical emission sources

“…Emissions of hazardous chemicals can lead to negative effects on health, including birth defects, nervous systems problems, and cancer ( EPA, 2022 ). Heightened levels of risk to the health of human beings and wildlife are observed in regions where climate patterns are more conducive to increased particle mobility and transport, allowing hazardous chemicals to vaporize more easily into the air ( Pamela & Lema, 2015 ; Jung & Qassimi, 2022 ). Environmental regulatory requirements frequently call for risk assessments to balance the tradeoffs between economic output and environmental protection.…”

Identifying the relationship between VOCs emission and temperature/humidity changes in new apartments in the hot desert climate

“…This lifestyle makes them easily exposed to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) faster than in any other metropolis (Awad and Jung, 2021). An environment with poor indoor air quality deteriorates the health of the occupants (Jung and Al Qassimi, 2022). Formaldehyde (HCHO) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as Benzene (C 6 H 6 ), Toluene (C 7 H 8 ), Ethylbenzene (C 8 H 10 ), Xylene (C 8 H 10 ), and Styrene (C 8 H 8 ) are representative indoor air pollutants (Arar and Jung, 2021).…”